Permis PrêtClass 3 licence in Québec: truck, exams and steps
Class 3 is the truck licence: what it covers and the steps according to the SAAQ.
Short answer: Class 3 covers, among others, a 2-axle truck of 4,500 kg or more net mass and any truck with 3 or more axles. The steps: knowledge test, a learning period (3 months, or 1 month under some conditions: to confirm), then the safety walk-around and the driving exam.
What class 3 covers
A 2-axle truck with a net mass of at least 4,500 kg, or any truck with 3 or more axles; these trucks may pull a trailer under 2,000 kg (or 2,000 to 4,500 kg if it only carries permanent equipment). A tractor without a trailer is also covered. Class 3 also allows other vehicles, except those of classes 1 and 2 and motorcycles (brochure, p. 4).
The steps
- Conditions: Class 5 (or probationary) licence with 24 months of experience, a driving record under 4 demerit points and the health steps.
- Knowledge test (about 1 hour, 75%): class 3 learner’s licence.
- Learning period before the practical exams: 3 months with the learner’s licence, or 1 month if you are 25 or older, have 60 months of Class 5 experience, or have the truck-driving DEP or the “Conduite de camions porteurs” course. To confirm: check the SAAQ class 3 page, because some sources mention a different length.
- Two practical exams: safety walk-around, then driving.
For the practical exam
The vehicle must be of the right class, free of defects, with a valid mechanical inspection certificate; for class 3 it must be a flatbed, dump body or cargo-box truck (brochure, p. 14). Class 3 fees: see the SAAQ page (not repeated here).
To remember for the test
- Class 3: 2-axle truck (4,500 kg or more) or 3-axle and more.
- Knowledge test 75% → learning period (3 months or 1 month, to confirm) → two practical exams.
- Flatbed, dump body or cargo-box truck for the exam.
Original heavy-vehicle questions with an explanation and a source: 10 free.
Practise for free
Official sources
- SAAQ, truck, class 3 (official page, French)
- SAAQ, brochure “Bientôt conducteur d’un véhicule lourd” (2021, French)
- SAAQ, heavy-vehicle licences (official page, French)
General information, current as of 2026-11-01. When in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules and fees can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca.